Valve mechanism for internal combustion engines



Sept. 6, 1938. R, s. REYNOLDS VALVE MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Maren l25, 195e INVENTOR P/C'HQPD 5. PEVNOLDj- BYGMJ Hb ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Richard S. Reynolds,

San Jose, Calif., assigner of one-half to J. & A. Sales Co., a co-partnership composed of John Facchino Giannotti and Albert Application March 25, 1936, Serial No. 70,859

'7 Claims.

My invention relates to internal combustion engines, and particularly to a cylinder head and valve mechanism for introducing fuel into and removing exhaust gases from the cylinders of an engine.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a cylinder head and valve mechanism for internal combustion engines having a minimum of moving parts; and' which is simple, rugged, durable, and efficient.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cylinder head and rotary valve mechanism which will effectively retain. compression in the cylinders of an engine.

A further object is to provide a rotary valve structure for internal combustion engines which may be effectively lubricated.

Another object is to provide a cylinder head and valve mechanism which may be economically manufactured and assembled upon an engine, and which requires. a minimum of careY and adjustment.

The invention possesses otherV objects and features of. advantage, some of which,.with the foregoing, willbe` set forth in. the following descriptionof my invention. It is to be I do not limit myseli to this disclosure oi species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope ofthe claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation of the upper partk of an internal combustion engine having the cylinder head and Valvemechanism of my invention applied, thereto.

Figure 2v is a plan View of the device shown in Figurel, parts being broken away to better illustrate the structure of the valve mechanism.

Figure 3 is a transverse verticalv section taken upon the line 3-3 of Figure l in the direction indicated, the gure being drawn upon aV larger scale.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail view taken upon the line 4 4 of Figure l in the direction indicated.

lFigure 5 is a View of av compression retaining plate.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional detail View taken upon the line I-I of Figure 4.

In terms of broad inclusion, the device of my `invention comprises a cylinder head arranged to be mounted over the cylinders of the cylinder block of an internal combustion engine, and having a longitudinally extending bore within which is mounted a cylindrical valve rotor having passages arranged to periodically open intake and exhaust ports formed in thecylinder head for inunderstood that.

(Cl. 12S- 59) troducing fuel into the cylinders of the engine and for conducting exhaust gases therefrom. The valve rotor is rotated in timed relation to the operation of pistons within the cylinders of the engine, and means are provided between the Valve rotor and the adjacent surface of the cylinder head for retaining the compression developed within the engine cylinders during the compression strokes of the pistons. Lubricant is delivered continuously to the wearing surfaces of the compression retaining means, through fittings engaging the rotor between the edges of the compression retaining elements.

In terms of greater detail, and referring to the illustrative embodiment of my invention disclosed in the drawing, the device of my invention comprises a cylinder head designated in general by the numeral I arranged to be bolted or otherwise secured upon the top of the cylinder block 2 of an internal combustion engine provided with the usual cylinders 3 and pistons 4. Spark plugs 5 extend into recesses 6 forming compression charnbers 'I over the cylinders 3.

The cylinder head I preferably comprises upper and lower sections 8 and Il having matching recesses I I cooperating to form a cylindrical bore I2 extending longitudinally of the head I. The lower head section 9 is provided with a row of intake ports i3 and a row of exhaust ports I4 forming communicating passages between the bore I2 and the compression chambers l. The upper head section 8 is provided with similar rows of intake ports I6 and exhaust ports II for connectingintake and exhaust manifolds It and IQ respectively with the bore I2.

The intake ports I3 and I6 preferably open into the bore I2 at diametrically opposite points, the ports being alined and centered upon diameters forming an angle of about 221/2 with a vertical plane passing through the axis of the bore I2 when the engine is in the upright position illustrated in the drawing. The exhaust ports I4 and I1 are similarly alined and centered upon a diameter forming an angle of about 221/2" with the opposite side of said plane.

The intake and exhaust ports I3, I4, I6 and I-'I are preferably substantially rectangular in shape. 'I'he width of the ports corresponds to an angular measurement of about 221/2o about the center of the bore I2 measured along its circumference, the distance between the adjacent edges of the intake and exhaust ports of each head section being spaced from each other a distance which also corresponds to a similar angular measurement of about 221/2". The length of the ports I3, I4, I6

and I1 is made as great as the diameter of the compression chambers will permit.

Within the bore I2 is mounted a cylindrical valve rotor 2 I. The ends of the rotor 2| are preferably mounted in suitable anti-friction bearings 22 seated in recesses 23 at the ends of the head I. A sprocket 211, or other suitable driving member, is secured upon one end of the rotor 2|.

'Ihe valve rotor 2l is provided with a plurality of passages 26 extending diametrically through the rotor at points corresponding to the position of the intake and exhaust ports I3, I4, IS and I1. The passages 26 are arranged at various angles such that the passage 26 will be moved into alinement with the intake and exhaust ports for the various engine cylinders in correctly timed relation to the operation of the pistons therein for admitting fuel and discharging exhaust gases during appropriate intervals of piston movement in accordance with the usual four-stroke cycle mode of operation.

The valve passages 21 are of a width substantially equal to that of the intake and exhaust ports. When alined with the corresponding intake ports the passages 23 provide direct passages communicating between the cylinders and the intake manifold I8. In like manner, when alined with the exhaust ports, the valve passages 23 provide direct p-assages from the engine cylinders to the exhaust manifold I9.

'Ihe rotor 2l is preferably of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the bore I2 so as to allow a slight clearance therebetween. In order to retain the compression developed in the engine cylinders, and to prevent the passage of fuel or exhaust gases from the ports of one cylinder to the ports of another cylinder, suitable compression retaining means are provided between the rotor 2l and the bore I 2. Such means preferably comprise a plurality of compression retaining plates 21 mounted between the rotor 2I and bore I2 and provided with openings 28 over the ports I3, I4, I6, and I1.

'Ihe plates 21 are substantially semicircular in cross section, and are of a length greater than the length of the intake and exhaust ports. The plates 21 are preferably seated in recesses 29 formed in the wall of the bore I2, and are pressed against the surface of the rotor 2I` by suitable springs 3l. The plates are of a thickness greater than'- the clearance between the rotor 2| and bore I 2, and t neatly in the recesses 29 so as to prevent the escape of gases past the sides of the rotor.

In order to prevent any possible leakage of gases between the adjacent intake and exhaust ports in the upper head section 8 over each cylinder, baffles 32 may be seated in recesses 33 between the ports I6 and I1, suitable springs 35 being mounted in the recesses 33 in back of the baliles 32 to press the baffles against the backs of the adjacent compression retaining plates 21 to seal the clearance between the plates and the head section 8. Y

Oil passages 34 are formed in the cylinder head, preferably in the lower section 9. Fittings 36 are set in recesses 31 formed in the upper face of the section Il, and are pro-vided with neck portions 38 opening into the passages 34. A slightly porous filling 39, such as fibre, is provided in the fittings 3S through which oil under pressure may bleed slowly from the passages 34 through slots 4I in the inner ends of the fittings for lubricating the wearing surfaces of the plates 21 and rotor 2|. The'fittings preferably extend into engagement with the surface of the rotor 2I between the adjacent edges of the upper and lower compression retaining plates 21, the edges of one of the plates being cut away to accommodate the oil fitting so that rotation of the rotor 2I will cause a constant supply of oil to be wiped off from the inner end of the oil tting.

The head sections B and 9 are provided with suitable passages 42 for the circulation of a supply of cooling water.

In assemblying the head and valve mechanism the compression retaining plates 21 and baffles 32 with their springs are inserted, and the oil fittings are placed in position in the head sections 8 and 3 which are then assembled over the rotor 2| and its bearings 22. A suitable gasket 43 is applied between the head sections, the inner edges of the gasket extending into engagement with the rotor to cooperate with the oil fittings 33 in sealing the clearance between the rotor and the head. The assembled head is bolted to the cylinder block 2 in the ordinary manner, a suitable gasket 44 being provided between thefhead and the block.

In operation, the rotor 2I is driven from the crank shaft of the engine by any suitable driving means, as for example a chain and sprockets, the rotor being turned through one complete revolution for each four complete turns of the crank shaft.

Figure 3 illustrates the rotor 2I in the position occupied immediately before the opening of the intake ports I3 and I6 of a cylinder 3 while all of the ports are closed. As the rotor is turned in a counter-clockwise direction, the passage 26 is moved into alinement with the ports I3 and I6; and fuel is drawn into the cylinder from the manifold I8 during the downward intake stroke of the piston.

Since the ports I3 and I6 and the passage 26 are of a width corresponding to 221/2 of Valve rotor movement, the intake will begin to open as the piston starts its down stroke and will reach its maximum opening after 221/2 of rotor movement. Thereafter the opening will be gradually reduced Vthrough the succeeding 221/ of rotor movement until it is fully closed as the piston reaches its lowermost point. Y

The ports will all be closed during the return or compression stroke of the piston, and during the succeeding downward firing stroke. At the end of the ring stroke, the passage 26 will have been turned through 135, and will open the exhaust ports during the succeeding exhaust stroke of the piston so that exhaust gases may be expelled through the ports I4 and I1 to the exhaust manifold I9. The exhaust ports are then closed and the cycle is repeated.

The operation is the same for each of the cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine, the passages 26 of the rotor being arranged to open the intake and exhaust ports in accordance with the movements of the pistons. The number of passages 26 in the rotor is of course the same as the number of cylinders of the engine; and the angles at which the passages are formed conforms to the rng order of the several cylinders. In this manner the intake and exhaust of any number of cylinders may be easily and effectively controlled by means of a single rotating valve member.

I claim:

1. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder head comprising upper and lower matching sections mounted upon the cylinder block of an engine over the cylinders thereof, intake and exhaust ports in the head, a valve rotor mounted in the head and having transverse passages cornmunicating with the intake and exhaust ports during predetermined intervals of engine operation, means for rotating the rotor in timed relation to the movement of pistons within the engine cylinders, and apertured compression plates surrounding the ports, said plates being seated in pairs in recesses in the head sections and engaging the valve rotor, and oil fittings mounted in the head for delivering oil under pressure to the rotor along substantially the full lengths of the compression plates.

2. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder head mounted upon the cylinder block of an engine over the cylinders thereof, intake and exhaust ports in the top and bottom of the head, a valve rotor mounted in the head and having transverse passages for connecting corresponding top and bottom ports of the head during predetermined intervals of engine operation, means for rotating the rotor, substantially semicircular compression plates mounted in pairs in recesses in the head over the upper and lower ports, oil ttings mounted in the head and extending into engagement with the rotor between the adjacent edges of each pair of plates and having oil delivery slots extending substantially the full length of the plates.

3. A valve mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising a longitudinally split head having intake and exhaust ports, a valve rotor mounted within the head and having transverse passages therein for periodically opening the intake and exhaust ports, substantially seinicircular compression plates mounted in pairs in recesses in the head above and below the rotor and having openings registering with the ports, and Spring means for pressing the plates against the rotor.

4. A valve mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising a longitudinally split head having intake and exhaust ports, a valve rotor mounted within the head and having transverse passages therein for periodically opening the intake and exhaust ports, substantially semicircular compression plates mounted in recesses in the head above and below the rotor and having openings registering with the ports, spring means for pressing the plates against the rotor, and means engaging the rotor between adjacent edges of the compression plates for delivering oil under pressure to the rotor along the lengths of the compression plates. r

5. A cylinder head and valve mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising upper and lower head sections having matching recesses cooperating to form a cylindrical bore when the upper section is superimposed upon the lower section, intake and exhaust ports in the sections for communicating with the cylinders of an engine,

a valve rotor within the bore and having passages for connecting corresponding intake ports and exhaust ports of the head sections in timed relation to the operation of pistons within the corresponding engine cylinders, compression plates set within recesses in the head sections and having openings registering with the ports thereof, and oil ttings mounted within recesses in the face of one head section upon which the other section seats for supplying oil between the bearing surfaces of the rotor and compression plates, the fittings being held in operative position within the recesses by the opposite head section when the sections are in superimposed relation.

6. A cylinder head and valve mechanism for 1nternal combustion engines comprising upper and lower head sections having matching recesses cooperating to form a cylindrical bore when the upper section is superimposed upon the lower section, intake and exhaust ports in the sections for communicating with the cylinders of an engine, a valve rotor within the bore and having passages for connecting corresponding intake ports and exhaust ports of the head sections in timed relation to the operation of pistons within the corresponding engine cylinders, compression plates set within recesses in the head sections and having openings registering with the ports thereof, oil ittings mounted within recesses in the face of one head section upon which the other section seats for supplying oil betwen the bearing surfaces of the rotor and compression plates, the ttings being held in operative position within the recesses by the opposite head section when the sections are in superimposed relation, and securing means extending through both head sections and into the top of the cylinder block for securing the head sections to the block in assembled relation over the rotor, compression plates and oil ttings.

'7. A cylinder head and valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine, with cylinders longitudinally arranged, comprising separable upper and lower head sections having matching recesses cooperating to form a cylindrical bore when the upper section is superimposed upon the lower section, intake and exhaust ports in the sections for communicating with the cylinders of the engine, a rotary valve within the bore and having passages for connecting corresponding intake ports and exhaust ports of the head sections in timed relation to the operation of pistons within corresponding engine cylinders, compression plates mounted in pairs for engagement with the head sections above and below said rotary valve and having openings registering with the openings in the valve and head sections, a single set of studs extending through both head sections and into the top of a cylinder block for securing the head portions in superimposed relation, and means for supplying lubricant to the compression plates.

RICHARD S. REYNOLDS. 

